Use Your Words, Post Your Pictures, Post What is GOOD!

 It's hard to know at times whether to speak or keep silent. It's been quiet here. Not because I don't have anything to say, but rather sometimes words can be too much....Too much of a hindrance. A stumbling block. Deafening to the ears as they slow the healing.

Many times I stay silent for fear my words may sound too proud....too boastful. Dare I say that I'm fearful of sounding too perfect or too fake.

People can take words and miss use them. People can hear words all wrong and misconstrue them. People can take your words and turn your world upside down.

We are living in a world that seems to have lost all rights to any sort of gravity or grounding. And as this earth is spinning out of control where wrong is right and right is wrong I sit here in silence, watching the heartbreak and confusion.

I see post after post of destruction, violence, intolerance, hate, and division.  Post after post of political bashing and finger pointing. We all have opinions on how to get back on track. We all have words to say. We are all passionate......... And most of the time we are all just preaching to the choir....

Yesterday my man and I celebrated 20 years of marriage and I love him more today than I ever thought I could! I'm so very proud to carry his last name.  His heart is etched in mine and I can't imagine not ever meeting this God given man who promised to hold my hand through this life. I've never met any one like him. He keeps me grounded when this life of mine takes flight and God knew I needed him.  He knew I needed a strong man to tame  my crazy thinking and my wild words.

And I share this with you because although I'm always fearful of sounding too proud or too good I believe we need more good! And I must tell you I'm proud of the 20 years and the 1/2 dozen kids we have under our belts.

Can I tell you that I enjoy seeing post after post about love gone right and kids all peanut butter faced.  Can I also tell you that if we all shared all that is good in our lives it would out shine the bad in this world. The darkness has to flee when the light shines in the room.

Now please hear my words right......I'm not telling you to be perfectly fake on FB. What I'm saying is, it's ok to share what makes you proud. It's ok to share what is good. Don't be fearful like I have been in the past because someone might misconstrue your words or take your pictures as being too boastful.

In a world where marriage is not sacred anymore I am proud to be one of the few that have made it to the 20 year mark and not only have we made it in numbers we are still in love....We are still making love.....Yep I said it right here on the internet. We are a married couple doing married couple things! And I am proud!

So it goes with the season.......I am Truly Thankful for the blessing of this graced filled life. And although I'm far from being perfect I know what is GOOD.  I know that we need to see more GOOD, because GOOD is out there and it needs to be shared. Too much of the bad is starting to overwhelm my soul but I haven't lost my JOY or my HOPE..........

And so I challenge you all, my Beloved.....I challenge you to post all that is good.....Messy faced kids, beautifully messed up kitchens, scrumptious pies, family hugging, crayon marked walls, Parents kissing........Share the light! Be Thankful! Use your words and count your Blessings.

And by the way I know how to change the world and it's not my opinion, it's His commandment.....


My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

I Needed to Put Some Things Behind Me

Deep down inside I'm a recovering perfectionist....Wanting everything just so......Everything to go my way. As a matter a fact my most favorite perfectionist thing to do is PLAN. I enjoy it. Love looking at what is suppose to come next.

But in all reality This sin soaked Mama fails daily. And as much as she tries to plan and get things just so, the more she realizes Perfection is not ever attainable with out the Perfecter. And  I will never be perfect,  but I truly know the One who is.

A clean house was easy to obtain with children number 1 & 2.......Even when 3 & 4 came I still held it together......For the most part.

But then God allowed us to have 5 & 6......And I'm beginning to understand one of the many reasons why.

Because He knew this Mama needed to tuck some things behind her and one of them was her need to be Perfect. Oh I still get extremely frustrated but, I'm too tired at the end of the day to worry about my floor.

I have taken on the label Free Spirit and some days I truly embrace it. Other days I see it as complete and utter failure.

Although I do, most times, take great comfort in just letting it ride I know that there is  a need to get things done, to plan and prepare.

I need to make this clear I'm not a perfectionist in the way you might be. I'm not all about numbers and schedules......My perfection problem was in having a clean and perfect home with perfectly dressed children.....If I could get some pics of my first two children and some pics of our first home and then some pics now, you would see the contrast in both sets of pictures.

Am I okay with the contrast? Yes and no. Like I said I'm recovering........

I'm still learning what comes first. And although My man would like a more consistent job at getting the laundry done, he knows I'm trying.......

I'm learning that life is wrapped in the small gestures......the kisses, the hugs, a warm, home cooked meal, Pouring his glass of tea, Actually listening to the child who is screaming to be heard.....Reading stories and giving heart felt gifts, sharing a smile, a kind word.......Those are the things you and I will want to be remembered for.

If someone were to speak at my funeral the last thing I would want to be remembered for is my perfection problem or that my floor was always clean. Instead I would love to have them say she was always kind, listened when I needed to be heard, hugged often and loved much. Her door was always open even when there were days she thought she couldn't do it, she soon warmed up and fed those around her table. Because Christ loved her first with all of her quirky imperfections. All of her broken pieces, He loved her for who she was and changed her into who she was meant to be.

And that my friends is the reason why I put some of those unimportant feelings of inadequacy away....Is there room to improve?  Absolutely! I'm still trying to get some order to my chaos and some days are really good! Other days need a whole lot of GRACE!

A wise friend once told me in all my rushing around "I didn't come to see your house, I came to see my friend."

Love Hard Enough to Bring Change

It's often I dream about walking through a place like this. I dream of the leaves rustling beneath my feet and the birds singing their last song of fall. I can just feel the cold crisp air wakening my senses to someone off in the distance burning leaves in an old burn barrel. It's never overwhelming, just a slight hint of October smoke in the air.

And high up above I hear the last call of the Canadian goose as they make their flight pattern across the Autumn sky. I wonder if it's selfish of me to want to be alone in this majestic place where Autumn's jewels change with the first twinge of the bitter frost.

Autumn brings change and change brings growth after all that's withered falls away. I miss Autumn's jewels........

I miss the change they brought......

And even though I don't see a dramatic change here I still know that God is at work taking all that's old and laying it down to be transformed into something new that I have never seen before. And sometimes this change, it hurts til I can't hardly stand it. But that's the price of love.....In order to love and love well we have to dig deep and go big or we might as well go home. Because through it all that's where the growing starts that's where the learning begins and when we are stretched beyond our limit He always brings reprieve from what has kept us imprisoned.

And it's at just the right time and just the right place. His ways are perfect. Only He can bring about change in a way that truly changes from with in.

To love so much that it hurts.......To love so much you think your heart will explode right out of your chest. Tell me would you love this much? Are you Loving this much?

Love Big or Go Home because nothing ever gets accomplished when your love doesn't change those around you.....When someone's LOVE doesn't change you........

Love hard enough to bring change!

So What Do You Do When You Want To Be Renewed?

It's been a little over 8 years and it was just 8 girls.......All from different walks of life. We came together because just one had asked us to share in the celebration of her half century. And so it goes with each and every Birthday, we celebrate each other every year, through out the year.

But I have to tell you this time seemed different.....Seemed so much deeper.

So what do you do when you want to be renewed, when you want to see revival? In all reality I'm not really sure any of us realized how badly we all needed this. How badly we all wanted more from each other than just the passing of some birthday gifts.

When you have a Whole weekend together there is bound to be some sharing. Bound to be some tears. Bound to be tears through laughter. Because that's what girlfriends do. 

WE talked about loyalty and trust. We talked about kids growing up and giving us grand babies.  We talked about the growing pains between parent and child......and that included elderly parents too. We talked about marriage and divorce. And as we walked through our lives one by one I saw a pattern, even though every walk was different they were all still oddly familiar. 

We opened His word and sat around the table. We drank every drop that was offered and loved each other with our words of healing and encouragement. Shared some of the deepest places of our hearts and felt the safety and loyalty of friendship. Something we knew we all had but, we never really used it like this before. That's revival of the heart my friend.

Renewal of the soul comes when you release all that is weighing you down. It's amazing how much lighter the burden, when we give it up to Him who is faithful. Renewal also comes through laughter. The kind of laughter that brings the tears and can even make you tinkle when you least expect it. That is true laughter. That is Renewal of the soul my friend. Good natural healing medicine.

We all have struggles and it really doesn't matter what kind of struggle you have. There is no need to compare. What truly matters is that we see no one goes through their struggle alone. 

And it's easy to get wrapped up in your own little world. So easy to stay focused on your inner circle.....It takes effort to look out side that circle. It takes effort to love with a Christ like love. And when we learn to love completely the blessing is found in a heart overflowing.

I truly love these girls! To be honest and real......I love them so much more because of this weekend's revival-renewal.....

At the end of our stay we had painted the picture in our minds out loud. We shared how much we have seen changes in all of us, from kids growing up, some getting married and having grand babies. We have even seen death together. And we admitted that change was still coming for all of us, it's inevitable. So a silent pact was made in each of our minds that we needed to stay together on this big green earth until God calls us home one by one......

I love you all and I thank my God upon every Remembrance of you.......

What Do You KNOW?

It's amazing how pieces of the past can stand the test of time. Through the cold and blowing wind. Through the rain and heavy snow. I truly wonder what keeps it there?

 If structures, walls and fences could talk....If they could share what they've seen and heard over the years.

I'm pulled in by the past. It doesn't take much...An old pew, a time warn book, a fence made 100 years ago. Makes me ask questions inside my head. Makes me want to go back in time and watch History in real time.

In History class we talked about Harriet Tubman "The Moses" of her people......Born into slavery. Worked, whipped and beaten by  the age of 6. Sold and resold again.....For most, it was the only way to survive, to stay enslaved.  Were they actually living or just existing?

I told my kids that the slave owners forbid any of their slaves to learn to read and write. I asked them why they thought the slave masters would keep the slaves from learning and one little boy spoke up and said, "Because then they would KNOW something."

All too often we are living as though we are just existing. It's been a slow movement into slavery and we don't even KNOW that we are headed towards a repeat failure.

On the verge of losing her Sovereignty, Sweet America the land of the free, the home of the brave. I still believe there are enough of us here to make a wave. I still believe in HER. But the media drowns out truth and American History is being distorted. Our kids are being tainted and the government is trying to take control of the parents position. And some how we sit here idle as if we are just trying to stay  alive by just existing.

America where is your boldness? Your courage? Where are the Moses' of your people?

I want to tell you that I am doing my part. It may be very small at that, but I am making sure my kids inside this home and outside my home KNOW  true History! That they KNOW her heritage. I want to instill in them that same American strength that led Harriet Tubman through the underground railroad with over 200 slaves. I want them to fight for freedom! I want them to know it's okay to speak your mind even when your standing in the midst of this ever raging storm. If you speak for TRUTH than the TRUTH shall set you free!

Parents get involved with your chidren's schooling. Ask them what they are learning. Ask to see their books and read them! KNOW what is going on inside the walls of their school. BE BOLD! It only takes one Moses to free a thousand slaves.

I don't know about you, but I feel something brewing........And I aim to be on the side of TRUTH. This crazy upside down world where Right is wrong and Wrong is right...I can't sit idly by and just exist. FREEDOM was bought and paid for through CHRIST first and because this Great Nation was born and founded on that very same freedom our American soldiers have laid down there life for no greater cause!

"I freed over a thousand slaves and I would of freed over a thousand more if they only knew they were slaves."

Harriet Tubman
1820-1913

If your looking for true American History Books that have not been distorted keep your eye open I will share with you some great websites and a list of some really good and interesting History Books. Ones that will actually keep your child's attention. Yours too I might add!

Did She Love?

Walking and living this life can find you choking back tears and feeling the burn of the years that laid the tracks behind you.

It's always the rushing and speeding through the days and if you could just get a grip.....If you could just breathe......

I will be turning 44 next month.........Age never really bothered me. I love the milestones. I love standing in the moment and looking back at my tracks. No matter how painful, it's okay to look back once in a while...to Remember where He found you but, it's so much more important to see where He has brought you. What are my tracks like you ask? Some are very faint and others laid thick and black like the hot rubber spinning off the tires as it melted into the pavement...And some are not even there at all. I'm not sure what is worse...The thick black track or the invisible one. Nothing in this life goes un-redeemed.....

As I sit here thinking about life and what really matters, there is one question that keeps running through my mind........

Did she love? Did she love with a full and selfless heart. Did she love until it hurt? Love until it wasn't all about her anymore?

Am I loving like Christ loved the church? Because Christ loved the broken, dirty, trampled on soul......He was not prejudice....His love poured on all who would soak it in........

I wonder if I'm loving enough? I wonder if I turn my love off at certain times of the day? Like a faucet that that needs a quick turn am I pouring out all my love?

Because life can get insanely crazy and there are days when I look back at my rubber laid tracks and they are still smoking.......

Because He is perfect LOVE, His cup runneth over.....A constant stream of living water can wash over my soul and flood out all that's selfish, all that's hurtful. This Mama, she wants to love like Christ.....

I want to be able to answer that question.......No, I want my children and my man to be able to answer that question  with a smile as they quietly nod their head yes..........I want my family and friends and those I lay my tracks near to be able to answer that question with a humble yes.

Did she Love with a selfless heart? Did she stop and take care of my need before hers? Did she refuel when her love seemed to be all tapped out? Did she know where to go when life went dry?

With out that kind of  love this world gets ever darker....

In my corner of the world I want to LOVE with a selfless kind of LOVE.........

Will they look back at my tracks and see CHRIST?

When they are asked the question, Did she love? Will they be able to say yes?

"The One"

It's been quite a while since I have stopped by. Seems life gets filled with so much to do it's hard to find the time for sharing words......

And yet, I really haven't had the urge to share for a while. You see God has been teaching me how much more important it is to listen than to speak. Because honestly wisdom comes from hearing and pausing in moments that were meant for silence.

Words can roll right on out like the waves on to the beach, but there are only two things they can leave behind..... an eroded soul or an abundant living life with in the sand.

Lately I've  been choosing to be slow to speak. Sometimes I don't speak at all.......Because it's in those moments I hear. I choose to dance with the waves and find life with my feet.

Oh how Beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!

And that's what I found in the silence.....They are not important, the words that I choose to say, that I think people need to hear are no where near as important as the words of "The One" who gave me life to speak.

I don't know it all. I never want to come across like I do! what I do know is how to LOVE because of "The One" who loved me first.

God said to Moses:
I am the eternal God. So tell them, that the Lord, whose name is "I am", has sent you. This is my name forever and it is the name the people must use from now on. Exodus 3:14



Ps........I want to share with you that when I was writing this post I already had a verse in mind. And I knew my title would be "The One".....So when I went to look for the location of the verse this is what I found in the footnotes. Notice "The One" twice in the text of the foot notes.......Was it I that was speaking today? Or was I listening while God was doing the speaking?

I Love "The One" who Speaks Life................
May His words be an encouragement to you as you seek Him in silence and go about your day.

Footnotes:

1. 3.14,15 Lord: The Hebrew text has “Yahweh,” which is usually translated “Lord” in the CEV. Since it seems related to the word translated “I am,” it may mean “I am the one who is” or “I will be what I will be” or “I am the one who brings into being.”

This Boy of Mine....This boy of Ours......

This boy of mine.....This boy of ours, the one who came with the morning light.....I honestly don't know if he understands. I really don't think any of them, the ones that call me Mama, will understand how deep her love runs for them. But then again we never really do understand how much one heart can hold until we let go and give life.

And what is it about this life that makes things stretch and grow until you feel you can't be stretched any more? I've said this before how I've grown up while raising our quiverful....Been learning right along side them. I've fallen more times than I can count and yet I still receive GRACE.

And I'm in awe of this young man and what makes him love Christ so much....What makes him lie awake, light on beside his bed reading his Bible.......What makes him so giving? What makes him work so hard? And then I see it as plain as day ......Christ gives the giving heart......makes the soul look forward and press on towards the goal. At such an early age he is where I should of been......18, Savior taking up occupancy in that heart of his. He has a plan, a goal in mind. knows what he wants.....And Daddy and I, we couldn't be more proud.

Sometimes we just have to let go.......most of us never grab hold of responsibility until it's given to us.....Then it's up to us what we do with it. It's up to us how we handle it......He always seemed to run with it. Understood it. He knew it was the key to un lock other doors....figured that out early.

No he's not perfect....He's a sinner saved by grace. And he's learning, and he'll go on growing and stretching till he thinks he can't be stretched anymore.

This Mama doesn't want to put him on a pedestal, but this Mama wants him to know how much he is loved....How proud I am of him.....How thankful God picked me to be his Mama....He could of chose any one else, but He chose me for the job...And although I have failed at times God was always there to pick me back up and help me press on....Because son, you were my goal, as are your siblings......You are what makes me move ahead. You are what I've always dreamed of doing with my life. I've always wanted to be a Mama. And because of God's grace and mercy he has given me that title......

And I will continue to give it my all with all that is in me.......Because YOU ARE WORTH IT! YOU ALL ARE WORTH IT!


I want you to know I'm still gonna mess up. This sin soaked Mama may not always get it right, but I'm still learning, I'm still growing.....Being stretched right along with you. Cuz with God as our Pilot we are on this journey together......And I will NEVER stop being your Mama!

And I want you to know as I'm watching you drive away in the real version of the ones you always use to play with as a boy.....my heart melts....Cuz I can't believe how time waits for no one. Because it's never easy to let go no matter what mile marker you are at. And I will continue to pray for this boy who stole my heart like it's never been stolen before, 18 years ago......

And P.S......I want to thank you for letting me take your picture. I know it's not your thing.....But you did great! And this Mama's heart is so thankful!

I Love you!

Fear and Worry: It will shut you in, tie you up and hold you hostage.

I don't know what's just around the next bend. I can't tell you what my tomorrow will be. I can't even tell you if I have tomorrow.

I can get all amped up about how this world seems to be chasing it's tail instead of chasing after a Sovereign God. I can be scared and worry about my children's future....Because to be honest, their future looks quite scary.

I can also tell you there is no such thing as a spirit of fear if Christ be near.....If Christ dwells, there is no fear.

I wanna tell you that what I know is, all that worry we put ourselves through, never brought salvation to no one......Never kept anyone safe. Never helped them out of trouble. Never kept the unforeseen hidden. Can I also tell you that a very wise woman once told me that 99% of the things she worried about NEVER CAME TRUE! And she lived to be 91!

It can cut you up and separate you out. Till all the pieces of your soul are dumped on the floor and your looking at an impossible mess.

Worry and fear can keep you from living life to the fullest extent. It can cause stress, sickness, heart problems (physically and spiritually). It can cause your mind to shut down and consume the largest part of your brain, your day, your life.....It will consume your soul. It will shut you in, tie you up and hold you hostage.

And when your mind is trapped in a prison of fear your heart can't feel. Your heart closes the door to all that God would have for you and you miss out on blessings.....Blessings that were meant for you to share. Because really what this life is all about is LOVE. LOVE is the glue to your broken soul. LOVE makes you whole.

Because He's the reason we're here. He's the GRACE GIVER, The PEACE LOVER, The SOUL CHANGER..........HE IS LOVE.

And Beloved if there is one thing I would want to leave you with tonight it would be this:

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:19

It Was Just Another Day

It was just another day, another ordinary trip into town. He was picking up some hay, had it loaded down heavy on the bed of his old dodge truck.

He's just another young man learning how to live. Going through life with God on his side. He's not one to be made of. He probably won't really like the idea of me writing about him.......But his mama is proud and I need to share. You see he just does what comes naturally. Thinks it's no big deal.....He thinks every one should feel that way......

She broke down not even a mile out of town. Sitting on the side of the road with her hood up. My son drives by takes notice and pulls over. Offers his help. He gets under the hood and diagnoses her problem. Runs to the part store to pick up a new hose. The guy at the parts store asks "What it's for?"....My son proceeds to tell them it's for this little old lady broke down on the side of the road......The guy at the parts store just gave him the part and said "go ahead just take it." You see a generous heart usually is extremely contagious. Kind of makes people fall into giving like dominoes falling from that first slight nudge.

He gets back to the little old lady, fixes her car, she offers to pay and he refuses any money. The only thing he requested is that she come visit our church. "No ma'am I don't want your money. My name is Hunter and I go to church at FBCU, you should come visit us sometime."

He comes home, goes about his day......Comes in for supper. We all sit down and out of the blue he says, "Well I helped this little old lady broke down on the side of the road today. Went and got her a part and fixed her car." Dad and I smiled told him how nice that was and then we all just kind of moved on.

Next day I get this message from a friend at church asking if it was my son that helped this little lady yesterday...To make a long story short it led me to get in contact with her daughter who lives out of state and was so thankful our son was there at just the right time.

She told me that all they had  to go on was this young man who looked to be about 18, his name was Hunter and he drove an old white Dodge with hay loaded down in the back. And that he went to First Baptist Church Umatilla. She said her mama needed to know who it was so she could thank him.....So that she could thank someone.

I told my son that he had become famous. Showed him the FB posts....He really couldn't understand the big deal. "She needed help and I helped her. That's all it was."

I understand his plight because after a while it got me to thinking that it really shouldn't be a big deal.....We should all be pulling over, taking time out of our busy schedule and asking if someone needs our help. It should be the norm. It should be what comes naturally. It should be that way all over.

I must tell you my boy is humble.....He's not one to take on attention. He doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. I also must tell you that I could learn a thing or two from our first born son. Can I also share that this simple act of kindness....It was his decision. Yes his father and I raised him, BUT GOD is the one who gets all the GLORY. He simply chose to obey his Father in heaven.....We simply have tried to steer him in the right direction.

So I thank God for my son and the life lessons. I thank God for His faithfulness. We are truly blessed especially when we are faithful to be obedient.

When All I Had Was A Rock To Give

When thinking of a gift to give, one that could fit in her pocket. One that she could take with on the flight into Honduras. Something she could hold onto and remember. Something that would remind her of His strength.

I asked Him to give me an idea, one that I could use, one that I was not meant to buy because something bought just seemed too inappropriate. And what if we all just need that simple yet profound reminder? What if.......

Because the place she was asked to go is not very safe.....Actually it's quite scary. I've never known her to say no to God. I've never known her to walk away from a mission, even when it's scary......Even when she couldn't see through to the other side. She always knew God would be there to see her to the end.

I never once saw her as weak. I really never thought she could be weak until her mama went home and then I knew...... we are all weak......Even the ones that seem so strong. We all come broken.......

To see her hurt broke my heart.....I held her hand and just listened over and iced coffee and a cookie. I knew there was nothing I could say that she didn't already know. I also knew that sometimes we just need friends to be quiet so they can talk it out. Talk out the hurt and fear of not knowing what comes next and all the while knowing you have to trust the God/man through every twist and every turn......She knows that, she just needed to talk it through. We prayed and we laughed through tears, we hugged and shook our heads at how this world just never seems to stop for no one......

I called my sister because her and I have that same creative gene. I ask her for a small rock. She couldn't find one. I hung up the phone looked down and there it was. Perfect! Not too small, not too big. Just right to put in her pocket.

2 Samuel 22:3-4 My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior. From violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.

That's what I wrote on her rock. The address of a place she could find strength. A simple yet profound reminder. 

Something she already knows but, sometimes when it's touchable and tangible it makes it more memorable. And so it is with the broken, we need to be more tangible and quiet for each other, because sometimes, that may be all we need.

To be able to hold onto "The rock" for strength and courage...So comforting....So TRUTH.

My sweet Mentor, My sweet Missionary friend,   I. Am. Praying.     And I love you more!

He's Not The Romantic Kind

 He's never been the romantic type. Never one to light the candles and swoon me with sweet flowery words......He's never planned a romantic getaway.......Too practical for sending flowers that will soon die.

He's never been one for moon lit walks. Not since I've known him anyway. You see he has this one bad foot from a tragic accident long ago.....and it keeps him from doing what most people enjoy doing. He's not one to go out and buy things with jewels and drip them around my neck...

He's one to realize that those jewels could never amount to what he feels I'm worth. How do I know? Because his love is an action.....With him it's not a feeling. It's in the serving.

Never been one to write me love letters...Although he did write me one at my request. And I love him for doing it even though he never really wanted to. It's just not him. And I know most women would probably be upset. Most women wouldn't understand. Most women would of been hurt by his unromantic side.....But can I please share with you?

I fell in love with this man over 23 years ago. I fell in love with his smile, his voice, his big brown eyes. I fell in love with the way he fell in love with me. I fell in love with the raw, strong, hard working, real and very faithful man. I knew right from the beginning that he was good......He made me want to be good.

Can I tell you that I'm not one for a lot of shimmering jewels around my neck.....Can I tell you that I really love flowers but I'm not hurt because I fell in love with a practical man who bends to my crazy schemes and dreams....Goes off and buys me a cow and builds me a barn and all because I only asked once.....

Can I tell you that I know he has a soft side......can I tell you that when he whispers in my ear that he loves me, I really truly know he means it.....Because he's never been one to just toss those three words around.

My daughter asked me why her Daddy isn't the romantic kind. Why no flowers or dinner dates......I looked up and smiled at her. I asked her, "if he did those things would it make a difference?" She laughed and said "I think if he did, it would be funny because it just wouldn't be him."

Exactly! It just wouldn't be my man. It wouldn't be the one I fell in love with all those years ago. And I don't want him to pretend to be somebody he is not......I'm not one to cling to fake.....I'm all about being real.

This man that shares my life has shared his heart with me and only me and I love him! I love his rawness, how smart he is. I love his quiet, thinking side. I love how he is one with few words but when he speaks it's because he has wisdom to share (or something embarrassingly funny to say). I love his laugh and the moments he looks at me with those dark brown eyes. I love how we have literally grown into one over the years and still continue to do so.....I love how he is unromantic, but I am a hopeless romantic. I love that he is strong and I am sensitive. I love how we balance each other out.

So for all you women with your romantic men, you can keep em'!  It just wouldn't be right for me/for us!